PRESS RELEASE: CLARIFYING KEY COUNCIL MATTERS
For Immediate Release
Date: 19 September 2024

As the Executive Mayor, I have become aware of misinformation being spread regarding the items tabled at the Council meeting on Wednesday, 18 September 2024. These include the waiver application for the Director of Corporate Services, the approval for the retrospective payment of the MPAC Chairperson—which requires submission to the MEC for Local Government—and the decision to re-advertise the Grant-in-Aid.

Clarity on Municipal Decisions
All decisions made by the Council align with legislative requirements. The waiver application for the Director of Corporate Services was prepared in full compliance with the relevant legal framework, and there are no irregularities in this process.

Regarding the approval for the retrospective payment of the MPAC Chairperson, it is important to clarify that this matter must be submitted to the MEC for Local Government for final approval. The Council does not have the authority to make this decision independently, as it must adhere to strict legal protocols.

Consultation on the Grant-in-Aid Re-advertisement
I would also like to assure the public that extensive consultations were held with the organizations affected by the decision to re-advertise the Grant-in-Aid. We conducted thorough discussions to ensure that approvals would comply with the requirements of the Auditor-General. It is unfortunate that we could not proceed with confidence, as the verification processes were not concluded; we sought to avoid any potential irregular expenditure.
I want to assure the public that this decision was made in the interest of compliance and transparency.

Encouraging Public Engagement
We encourage residents to review Council agendas and familiarize themselves with the topics under discussion to better understand the issues and recommendations presented. This promotes transparency and helps ensure that opinions are formed based on accurate information.
Misinformation about these matters can severely undermine public trust. We are particularly concerned that incorrect figures and misleading claims are being circulated. We urge residents to verify all information through official municipal channels before sharing it to prevent further confusion.

Commitment to Transparency
The Municipality is fully committed to transparency and open communication. We will continue to provide timely updates on Council decisions and processes. Should any resident have questions or concerns, we welcome them to contact the municipal offices for clarification and accurate information.

Issued by: Office of the Executive Mayor, Jessica Kamkam